Government

CDC Hopes Graphic ‘Stoma’ Ad Featuring Man With Tracheotomy Will Shock Smokers Into Quitting

ATLANTA (The Blaze/AP) — Who wants to see a gaping hole in their neck every morning? The answer the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is banking on is nobody. Today, the CDC launches a graphic media campaign that it hopes will be jaw-dropping enough to lead smokers to kick the habit.

The billboards and print, radio and TV ads show people whose smoking resulted in heart surgery, a tracheotomy, lost limbs or paralysis. The $54 million campaign is the largest and starkest anti-smoking push by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its first national advertising effort.

CDC Launches Graphic Anti Smoking Campaign Featuring Man with Tracheotomy

(Image: CDC)

The agency is hoping the spots, which begin Monday, will persuade as many as 50,000 Americans to stop smoking.

CDC Launches Graphic Anti Smoking Campaign Featuring Man with Tracheotomy

(Image: CDC)

“This is incredibly important. It’s not every day we release something that will save thousands of lives,” CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said in a telephone interview.

That bold prediction is based on earlier research that found aggressive anti-smoking campaigns using hard-hitting images sometimes led to decreases in smoking. After decades of decline, the U.S. smoking rate has stalled at about 20 percent in recent years.

Advocates say it’s important to jolt a weary public that has been listening to government warnings about the dangers of smoking for nearly 50 years.

“There is an urgent need for this media campaign,” Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said in a statement.

The CDC was set to announce the three-month campaign on Thursday.

One of the print ads features Shawn Wright from Washington state who had a tracheotomy after being diagnosed with head and neck cancer four years ago. The ad shows the 50-year-old shaving, his razor moving down toward a red gaping hole at the base of his neck that he uses to speak and breathe.

An advertising firm, Arnold Worldwide, found Wright and about a dozen others who developed cancer or other health problems after smoking for the ads.

Federal health agencies have gradually embraced graphic anti-smoking imagery. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved nine images to be displayed on cigarette packages. Among them were a man exhaling cigarette smoke through a tracheotomy hole in his throat, and a diseased mouth with what appear to be cancerous lesions.

Last month, a federal judge blocked the requirement that tobacco companies put the images on their packages, saying it was unconstitutional.

Graphic ads are meant to create an image so striking that smokers and would-be smokers will think of it whenever they have an urge to buy a pack of cigarettes, said Glenn Leshner, a University of Missouri researcher who has studied the effectiveness of anti-smoking ads.

CDC Launches Graphic Anti Smoking Campaign Featuring Man with Tracheotomy

(Image: CDC)

Leshner and his colleagues found that some ads are so disturbing that people reacted by turning away from the message rather than listening. So while spots can shock viewers into paying attention, they also have to encourage people that quitting is possible, he said.

The CDC campaign includes information on a national quit line and offers advice on how to kick the habit, CDC officials said.

Here’s a PSA the CDC released earlier this month:

Earlier this year, the CDC also released a report on smoking among youth and young adults, stating that each day nearly 4,000 individuals under 18 years of age light up for the first time. The report states that the CDC will be targeting efforts to youth as 99 percent of today’s smokers had their first puff before age 26.

Comments (48)

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  • ContinentalArmy
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 11:12pm

    The Government had the Tobacco Industries put Nicotine in Cigarettes, it’s an addictive narcotic, and why? Simple, More Tax Dollars, the more People that became addicted to cigarettes the more Taxes the Government brought in, Plain and Simple. Talk about double standards! Notice how little Big Gov. doesn’t reflect the damage alcohol does, or their Over Spending. Oh, I forgot, Politicians just have to have their Alcohol, and Frivolous Spending Habits/Addictions!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 8:07pm

    Didn’t they already do that some time ago?

    Report Post »  
    • VicksVaporub
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 8:13pm

      I’ll show this to all the 60 70 and 80 year old plus smokers I know so they quit.

      Report Post » VicksVaporub  
  • Patriot of My America
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 6:56pm

    Men & Women of America.. This is just the first glimpse of the CONTROL over your own Free Will by the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT! The Sec of HHS. Talking up this new Ad BLITZ on Anti Smoking..

    When the (if ) the Socialist Health (non ) Care plan comes into effect the Federal Government Will be able to DICTATE the very things you do. Smoking, Subsidized by the Federal ( democrats money donors ) ( Al Gore ) made Millions by the way.. IF Obama NON CARE is not reversed the FEDERAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES will be able to Dictate your entire LIFE. Every thing you consume and even the amount of Exercise you must have.. It will be total SLAVERY…

    Report Post »  
    • EP46
      Posted on March 17, 2012 at 7:19am

      White House chant….Do not…do not…do not

      But…YES WE CAN
      Have all the sex you want
      Drink all the expensive alcohol you want
      Use all the nose candy you want
      Have all the abortions you want
      Take anything you want that belongs to someone else

      Report Post »  
  • flatbroke
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 5:55pm

    I quit smoking on 12-28-98, when i was 30 y/o, i had been smoking since i was 13, and developed chronic bronchitis, and a constant case of walking pneumonia in my late 20s, at one point before i quit i was puffing on an inhaler, and smoking at the same time, that was 14 years ago, i DONT MISS IT! no more brochitis, no more walking pneumonia, and you dont have to be 50-60 y/o to get health problems from smoking, and the pics of the trach are not shocking, i guess because of my profession!

    Report Post » flatbroke  
    • myway
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 8:15pm

      My brother smoked for 51 years and now has throat cancer and cartilage cancer. He now has a stoma and he is suffering from the Chemo and Radiation treatments. I am not for the government in my life, but my brother is so sick. Everything tastes metallic and he speaks through a vibrator. Darth Vader. He had a prosthetic, but the scar tissue covered it and he will under go more surgery. After saying this I have others in the family who still smoke. I don’t think the government need to tell anyone to quit we all have all the info we need. If you smoke stop now or you will pay a horrible price. My brother smoked up until he had surgery, his doctor told me. We all have choices, we must learn to make the right ones. No one needs me to tell you that or anyone else. Semper Fi

      Report Post » myway  
  • SoYeah
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 5:35pm

    I quit smoking mid-2009 and started “vaping” with an electronic cigarette. All the nicotine goodness, 4000 less chemicals.

    Oh yeah, the FDA tried to ban those as well.

    What the hell is wrong with the government? They don’t want you to smoke, but they don’t want to let you stop.

    Report Post »  
  • Robert999
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 3:35pm

    All this anti-smoking stuff is more Liberal/Commie lies like global warming that’s part of their plan to destroy America. America was founded on tobacco. Attacking tobacco is attacking the Birth of America. A connection between tobacco and cancer has never been proved. They want to destroy one of America’s most important products just like they destroyed the steel and auto industries so their Commie buddies in China can buy us out.

    Report Post »  
    • glassbeadlady
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 3:54pm

      Never paid attention to all the warnings, but, put the price of cigs at $6 a pack and I quit 27 days ago.

      Report Post » glassbeadlady  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 3:17pm

    And the Drill Sergeant said : Smoke ‘em if you got ’em and police up those butts. I did.

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • lukerw
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:22pm

    What Agency of the Federal Government… is worth keeping?

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Balpit
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:05pm

    Graphic images will NEVER encourage smokers to quit. They’ll quit only if they want or have to quit. Only one smoker I knew quit because of financial reasons, while any other smoker would’ve sold their house to pay for cigarettes.

    Report Post »  
    • USAMEDIC3008
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:13pm

      I love it
      when I saw the man on South Park ?
      Smoking through his Stoma

      Report Post » USAMEDIC3008  
    • USAMEDIC3008
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:21pm

      Also as a Cbt. medic And EMT
      over 34 yeary
      All the DB and broken bodies I’ve taken out of auto acc never stopped me from driving
      The COPD Pts.xported to hosp never thought about quitting Winston
      all the bullet wounds dont stop me from carring my Gun.
      should I go on…………………………………………………………….

      Report Post » USAMEDIC3008  
  • SquidVetOhio
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:54pm

    Where will they get all that tax money if everyone quits smoking? You KNOW they’re not going to go without! Something else will have to get raped in taxes. Maybe that explains the big push to legalize pot?

    Report Post » SquidVetOhio  
    • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:01pm

      Good question, Squid. Ohio didn’t even look into the future enough to account for hybrids and the tax money on gasoline. Now the ODOT is 1.5 Billion in the hole.
      I have learned that you can talk until you are blue in the face, you are not going to get someone to quit smoking, until they are ready to quit. My father had his vocal cords and a lung removed and STILL wouldn’t admit it was smoking that caused it. He died of lung cancer in ‘96. Most of my family smokes, I never saw the point of breathing smoke.

      Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • VanceUppercut
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:34pm

      @SquidVetOhio
      “Maybe that explains the big push to legalize pot?”

      Well, the fact that marijuana is both less addictive and less harmful than cigarettes, and that many in the medical field have come forward pushing for it’s use for the sick and/or dying (it eases pain, among other beneficial effects for sick people) has something to do with it.

      Report Post »  
    • youdidthis
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 3:00pm

      they do not want to legalize weed because it would open up all the lies,bs,corruption.
      big pharma would be out of business.

      did you know that weed can ‘cure’ many types of cancer? yes cure.
      did you know that weed is one of the best pain relievers…in history.
      did you know that no one has ever died from smoking, eating weed. ever.
      smoke 1jt. or 50lbs. all that will happen is you will relax and go to sleep.

      have never seen a so called stoner attack the family, harm or attempt to harm anyone.
      i do see drunks beating and killing …how many people…daily.
      but , that is ok , since poison is legal.

      you people are on your own, did not make an oath to herd sheep.
      me and mine will fight. not for sheep, but for the sovereign citizen.

      look up the facts. do not believe the bs.

      Report Post »  
  • friedwatermellon
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:50pm

    People will get used to the pictures.

    Report Post » friedwatermellon  
    • CapitalistUno
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 5:20pm

      So then, the left now wants to show pictures of people who are killing themselves by smoking, despite it being by their hand? What about the withholding of pictures that show babies being killed by the hands of “Doctors,” as in the case of that Christian music band?

      Where does the hypocrisy and/or stupidity end?

      Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:46pm

    A new diet product. Michelle Obama’s butt on all processed foods…

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • Tifn8r
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:46pm

      I just lost a pound from the image you put in my head. In fact- I might have just become anorexic. You may have just put Simple To Lose out of business…. ;)

      Report Post » Tifn8r  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:42pm

    Show a picture of the deficit, that should shock people into not voting Democrat.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • momprayn
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:29pm

    I‘m with those that thought then why don’t we put out ads re AIDS, STD’s & advice on how to avoid, facts on post-abortion women suffering lifelong regret, depression, disease, physical harm, even death due to abortions.
    But I also must say I don’t think these ads re smoking will work at all – they never have, never will.
    Libs are very irrationally selective and hypocritical and what‘s scary is they don’t see it that way.

    Report Post »  
  • RightUnite
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:19pm

    It’s never worked before, why would these fools believe it would work now??

    Report Post »  
  • welovetheUSA
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:16pm

    Funny goverment makes about 4-5 dollars off a pack of smokes and spends millions to make fun of smokers………….

    Report Post » welovetheUSA  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:16pm

    I did not know Randy “The Unit” Johnson had a stoma..poor guy

    Report Post » Mark0331  
  • cemerius
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:04pm

    Ahhh a country without tobacco use? Hmmm where do we replace those incoming taxes with? Shall we ban sugar next? How about salt? I know the list is long and horrible, we could always just get our cylander of “pink goo” and be happy little cogs in the machine!!!

    Report Post » cemerius  
    • sw12
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:10pm

      But we can’t show graphic abortion pictures

      Report Post »  
  • acovenantinblood
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:03pm

    I wonder if they will show AIDS patients, herpes and syphillus to promote abstinance?

    Report Post » acovenantinblood  
  • 70S_KIDS_FIGHTING_SOCIALISM
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:03pm

    But look how smoking has kept his weight down. That is the secret to childhood obesity. In my day a kid could go to the local cigarette machine and buy some luckys. This kept the kids slim and in great shape. Kids used to start smoking by age 10. So lets get our kids smoking and healthy!!!!!

    Report Post » 70S_KIDS_FIGHTING_SOCIALISM  
    • lukerw
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:24pm

      I have had the same experience… but I only know what I enjoy and fine for me. Freedom is Great!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • lukerw
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:02pm

    My SemiAuto ShotGun and I… both Smoke… and will go out together!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Mark0331
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 12:57pm

    How about one showing the effects of FDA approved drugs and food additives that addict and destroy the lives and health of the masses…lets be fair across all industries…

    Report Post » Mark0331  
  • Temporal
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 12:55pm

    Accurate, but hypocritical in that both the Federal and Local governments are addicted to cigarette taxes.

    On top of that, I’ll echo what HKS says, “Why don’t they post grisly abortion pictures?” After all, the liberals say they want to make abortions “safe, but rare.”

    Report Post »  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 12:55pm

    I smoke. I don’t like it but I do hard to quit once you start and well its my only vice besides maybe shopping like lots of other women I know. This ad isn’t going to help me quit and frankly I knew smoking was bad when I started. Kids do too they know it isn’t healthy. I am sick and tired of being targeted like I have the black plague because I smoke while I watch the fatties pound down steaks the size of my head and then give me dirty looks while I am smoking outside the restaurant. I am in shape and pay my own healthcare bills and am prepared to live with the consequences of my bad choice.

    Report Post »  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:54pm

      I wouldn’t even give you a dirty look if you blew smoke on me while I was eating. I would however kick your a@@…hehehe
      Really…I will go to some restautants that have a smoking section, but I make sure I am far enough away as to not smell it. I really do appreciate smokers who go outside and smoke and I think restaurants should have the choice to have smoking or non-smoking and the NAZI smoke police and food police can go to hell…
      Free market? Not today….

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • HKS
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 12:45pm

    Well, that didn’t work to well with babies piled in a bucket squirming after being ripped out of the womb. Liberals found a way to make it OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK.

    Report Post » HKS  
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